State Board Discusses Home-Schooling Requirements

Several Kansas State Board of Education members on Tuesday said they are hearing reports of children being kept home to babysit younger siblings while their parents claim they are being home schooled.

Board chairman David Dennis of Wichita said the state needs more information on home schools to ensure that children are being taught.

Dennis said there are examples of great home schools in Kansas, but he had heard from public school principals of instances where a parent will keep a teenager home “for day care for the other kids.” Then after a couple of years, the teen returns to public school, several years behind, Dennis said.

Dennis suggested perhaps the board should propose legislation to increase the state reporting requirements for home schoolers.